Nvidia is redefining GPU cooling with its innovative “Double Flow Through” design for the GeForce RTX 50 Founders Edition graphics cards. This new approach promises a significant boost in thermal performance while maintaining a sleek and compact dual-slot form factor.

Unlike previous Founders Edition coolers, where the PCB partially obstructed airflow from the front fan, the “Double-Flow Through” design allows both fans to channel air through the heatsink fins. This design returns a more compact dual-slot form factor for Nvidia's Founders Edition cards. While the RTX 30 and RTX 40 series adopted bulkier triple-slot designs, the RTX 50 series prioritises thermal performance and a slim profile.

The new cooler also incorporates a 3D vapour chamber that draws heat away from the GPU, VRAM, and power delivery components. Five large heat pipes connect the vapour chamber to three heatsinks: a primary heatsink beneath the PCB and two side-mounted heatsinks. Then, the dual axial fans push air through the aluminium fin stacks to dissipate the heat.

In a significant first for Nvidia, the new cooler uses liquid metal thermal interface material (TIM) for improved heat transfer between the GPU and the cooler. This, combined with the optimised airflow design, allows the cooler to handle up to 600W of power while maintaining impressively low noise levels of 30-35 dBA.

According to Nvidia's thermal design engineers, the new cooler significantly outperforms its predecessor, offering better cooling at lower noise levels. Even at 450W, the RTX 50 cooler is expected to be quieter than the previous design at 200W. The Double Flow Through cooler will be featured on the RTX 5090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5070 Founders Edition cards. As for the RTX 5070 Ti, Nvidia confirmed it will only be available from board partners with custom designs.

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KitGuru says: If you were to buy an RTX 50 series graphics card, would you go for a Founders Edition or a custom design?